Arun

Arun's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, health and work life.

The population reached nearly 150,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Arun increased by 6.2%, from almost 141,000 to 150,000.

The addition of just under 8,800 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Arun was home to, on average, 4.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Arun

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Arun increased by two years, from 45 to 47 years.

This coastal area had the second-highest average age in the South East and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 5,000 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 3,000.

About 14% of people in Arun are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Arun by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Arun

The percentage of Arun residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.1% to 3.9% between the last two censuses.

The proportion who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.4%, while the percentage of Arun residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 89% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.2% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Arun that rented privately increased from 9.5% to 15% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 9.0%, while the percentage of Arun households that owned their home decreased from 79% to 74%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Arun increased by 5.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Arun, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Arun residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 9.3% to 5.7% in the decade to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (79%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 66% in 2001. The percentage of Arun residents that described their health as fair decreased from 25% to 16%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Arun decreased by 3.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Arun, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in Arun working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 14% to 10% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.3%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 2.3% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 14% in 2001 to 11% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in Arun decreased by 3.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Arun, the South East and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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